LIFESTYLE
10 Pets That Are Illegal In The United States
Tiny Turtles
Illegal In: All States
Tiny turtles gained notoriety for transmitting salmonella across the United States, just like hedgehogs. As a result, the United States outlawed selling tiny turtles (those measuring less than 4 inches) in 1975.
According to NPR, approximately 280,000 turtle-related diseases per year before the prohibition. The majority of the salmonella infections affected young children since the little turtles were mainly kept as pets for small children.
Infections can still occur despite the restriction. “Turtle-associated salmonella was connected to eight outbreaks spanning 473 infections across 41 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico from May 2011 to September 2013,” according to NPR. “Approximately 28% of those who were ill had to be admitted to the hospital.”
